Multi-contact data module having a connection matrix and a switching body and actuator plug template

ABSTRACT

A multi-contact data module for a connection matrix having an input channel and a plurality of output channels, said data module comprising at least one switching body means defining a hollow internal cavity, contact pins for establishing electrical connections to the input channel and the plurality of output channels of the connection matrix, said contact pins extending into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means. Movable contact means are disposed within said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means for cooperation with the contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated, effecting electrical connections with said contact pins. A single actuator means is provided for each switching body means which is common to all the movable contact means thereof intended to be actuated, such single actuator means comprising a separate plug member means totally separatable from, but removably insertable into, said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, said plug member means including actuating means for selective ones of said movable contact means. This separate, removably insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, serving to deflect selective ones of said contact means against the associated contact pins, whereby a given data distribution mode is effected. There is also provided programing template means having a respective cut-out for each plug member means substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said actuating means on each of said plug members means, whereby said programing template means provides storage of a plurality of data distribution modes.

United States Patent 1 Kirchdorf [4 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] MULTI-CONTACTDATA MODULE [57] ABSTRACT HAVING A CONNECTION MATRIX A multi-contactdata module for a connection matrix AND A SWITCHING BODY AND having aninput channel and a plurality of output ACTUATOR PLUG TEMP ATE channels,said data module comprising at least one [75] Inventor: Josef Kirchdorf,Gerlafingen swit switching body means defining a hollow internal cavi-Zerland ty, contact pins for establishing electrical connections to theinput channel and the plurality of output chanl l Assigneei GhlelmemSWitZefnels of the connection matrix, said contact pins exland tendinginto said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means. Movablecontact means are [22] Flled' sept' 1971 disposed within said hollowinternal cavity of said [211 App]. No.: 182,661 switching body means forcooperation with the contact pins, said movable contact means, whenactuated,

Related Appllcano Data effecting electrical connections with saidcontact pins.

[62] Division of 872,901, Om 31, 1969 A single actuator means isprovided for each switching body means which is common to all themovable con- [30] Foreign Appncafion priority Data tact means thereofintended to be actuated, such single actuator means comprising aseparate plug NOV. 7, Switzerland member means eparatable from butremovably insertable into, said hollow internal cavity [52] U.S. Cl..200/46 f id switching body means, said plug member [51] Int. Cl ..H01h27/10 means including actuating means for elective ones of Field ofSearch 17/101 101 said movable contact means. This separate, removably16 37 insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollowinternal cavity of said switching body [56] References Cited means,serving to deflect selective ones of said contact means against theassociated contact pins, whereby a UNITED STATES PATENTS given datadistribution mode is effected. There is also 3,370,137 2/1968 O'Connor..2oo/42 R Provided Programing lemplatemeafls having a p 3,636,2821/1972 Kirchdorf ..200/l6 R tive cut-out for each p g member meanssubstantially Primary Examinerl-lerman J. Hohauser Attorney-Werner W.Kleeman conforming to the cross-sectionalshape of said actuatin means oneach of said plug members means, wfiereby said programing templae meansprovides storage of a plurality of data distribution modes.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRQIQB SHEET 1 BF 2 MULTI-CONTACTDATA MODULE HAVING A CONNECTION MATRIX AND A SWITCHING BODY AND ACTUATORPLUG TEMPLATE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE The present application isa divisional application of my copending, commonly assigned US.application, Ser. No. 872,901, filed Oct. 31, 1969, and entitledMulti-Contact Data Feeder Having a Connection Matrix and a SwitchingBody.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new andimproved data module system composed of a translator and programingstorage, the translator being constituted by a wiring matrix andswitching module and the programing storage being constituted by aprograming plug and programing template.

Connection or wiring matrixes such as cross-bar or rail distributors areknown in the art for purposes of feeding or distributing input data,which data is generally in a coded format. When cross-bar distributorsare utilized, it is necessary that such distributors be provided, ateach feed location, with an input channel or rail for the input bit aswell as output channels or rails for each of the desired output bits.The contemplated distribution of data for each bit of input datarequires that a direct electrical connection be effected between theinput channel or rail and various ones of the output channels or railsin accordance with a given data distribution mode, with electricalde-coupling and isolation between the channels being provided throughthe utilization of diodes.

So as to produce these required electrical connections, it is known toutilize a plug which, in a fashion analogous to the cross-bardistributor itself, is provided with an input plug pin, and an outputplug pin for each of the output bits. Fixed connections between theinput plug pin and various ones of the output plug pins, suchconnections representing one data distribution mode, are disposed in thehandle of the plug, as are the various required de-coupling diodes, withthe switching connections effecting this given data distribution modebeing visibly indicated on the facing side of the plug handle. However,additional plugs are required for each different switching connectionand data distribution mode and thus, at least one complete set of plugsmust be provided for each feeding location of the main distributor. Theparticular plug effecting a given desired data distribution mode thenmust be selected from the set of plugs and so utilized. This techniquemay be quite practical when working with a small range of valuesrequiring few data distribution modes, but is quite cumbersome andaccompanied by drawbacks when a large range of values requiring manydata distribution modes are present.

In view of the above, the prior-art has accordingly proposed to producethe necessary connections required for a given data distribution mode bymeans of a selector switch built into the handle of the housing of amulti-contact plug with the respective position of the selector switchcorresponding to a given data distribution mode being visible in thewindow of a handle housing. The provision of a multi-contact plug inthis fashion eliminates the need for a plurality or set of individualplugs yet, even this multi-contact type of data feeder is suitable onlyfor small value ranges requiring few data distribution modes since theselector switch must have a switch position for each different datadistribution mode and the space available in the housing of the handleof the multi-contact plug is such that only a small selector switch witha limited number of positions can be accommodated.

This particular problem is not changed if one were to utilize circuitboards with a cross-pattern of conductors thereon in place of across-bar distributor as the primary connection matrix. If such circuitboards were utilized, an exchange would be required between the plugpins and the plug sockets in that the plug pins would be disposed at thecircuit boards whereas the plug sockets would be disposed at the datafeeder plug itself. In this fashion, the required electrical connectionsfor a given data distribution mode would have to be built-in or effectedbetween the plug sockets in the housing of the plug handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above background in mind, it should beapparent that a need exists in the art for a data module or feeder ofthe general type described which eliminates the aforementioneddisadvantages of the prior-art constructions. It is the primary objectof the instant invention to provide such a data module.

Another, more specific, yet equally important object of the instantinvention concerns the provision of a data module wherein the number ofoutput connections per data input bit are limited only slightly, whereinthe various interconnections effecting different data distribution modescan be easily exchanged, and which data module can be utilized with plugpins for data input at cross-bar or rail distributors as well as withplugs or jacks for data input at circuit boards.

Yet a further significant object of the present invention relates to anovel data module embodying a new and improved electrical switchcontaining contacts, which contacts can be selectively actuated by acompletely separable programing plug which can be snap-locked into theswitch body in a desired position, the plug being easily completelyremovable from the switch body to replace same, when desired, by adifferent plug effectuating actuation of different selective ones of thecontacts.

Another extremely significant object of the present invention relates toa data module system incorporating a programing template for positioningprograming plugs used to actuate selective ones of the contacts of eachswitch body to thereby provide a program storage which can then beinserted into the data module system in this form, and when, forinstance, a change of program is required the entire programing templatetogether with the plugs can be pulled out and replaced by anotherpre-programed template so that the programs may be changed in verylittle time in an extremely accurate and failsafe fashion.

These objects as well as others which will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, are implemented by the subject invention which ismanifested by the provision of a multi-contact data module or feederhaving a connection or wiring matrix and a switching body along with acontact element for each bit channel, the contact elements producing thevarious interconnections required for feeding the data between the inputand the various outputs of the wiring or connection matrix. The wiringmatrix may consist of a matrix program board, a double layer printedcircuit board, a multi-layer printed circuit board or a plurality ofsingle layer printed circuit boards.

The novel inventive data module or feeder is further characterized bythe features that the switching module embodies a switching bodyequipped with a hollow cavity or compartment having movable contactssuch as spring contacts disposed therein, such spring contacts formingthe various contact elements which cooperate with fixed contact pins.The switching module should contain as many contacts as required for thepre-selected code, for example four contacts for an ordinary binarycoded decimal, five contacts for a two out of five or three out of fivecode, or eight contacts for eight-bit characters. Further, the switchingmodule may also preferably contain the decoupling diodes required toprevent the formation of undesired current paths. For each differentdatadistribution mode, a plug member is provided which can be releaseablysnap-lockingly plugged into the switching body, this plug memberindicating the particular data distribution mode that is effected andfurther being equipped with suitable contact actuating means, as forinstance cams constructed of insulating material which extend into thehollow compartment or cavity of the switching body and serve to closethe various contact elements effecting the desired data distributionmode. The switching body itself can suitably be constructed such that itcan be plugged into or otherwise suitably connected with the primaryconnection or wiring matrix. In this fashion, the data module or feedercan be utilized to effect the necessary connections in a wiring orconnection matrix such as the above-mentioned cross-bar distributorswith the fixed contact pins being secured to the switching body andserving as plug pins or pin terminals for the cross-bar distributor.Alternatively, if the previously mentioned circuit boards are utilizedas the wiring or connection matrix rather than a switching modules inthis form. When a change of program is called for it is sufficient topull out the entire programing template and replace it by anotherpre-programed template. In this way programs may be changed in a matterof a few seconds, removal of the templates with the plugs from theswitching modules being undertaken with a zipper-like action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention itself will be betterunderstood and features and advantages thereof other than those alreadydescribed will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof a preferred inventive embodiment, such description referring to theappended sheets of drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts two juxtapositioned data modules constructed inaccordance with the instant invention, each data module beingillustrated by way-of example as capable of handling four bits, suchdata modules being provided with plug pins or pin terminals for use withcross-bar distributors and one of the data modules being depicted insectional view;

I FIG. 2 is a plan view of the data modules of FIG. 1 with associatedprograming template;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a snap-locking type data plug member;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a data plug member;

FIG. 5 depicts two juxtapositioned data modules or feeders also capableof handling four bits, suchdata cross-bar distributor, stationary orfixed contact pins can be secured to the circuit boards and these pinsthemselves can be inserted into jacks, receiving aper tures, or the likein the switching body.

The plug member utilized for insertion into the switching body foreffecting the various data distribution modes, preferably is constructedof a plastic material, preferably injection molded having a head platedisposed exteriorly of the switching body and having the actuatingrib-like cams extending from the head plate, the actuating camsextending into the cavity of the switching body to selectively actuatethe various contacts. The head plate of the plug can be provided withgripping grooves or the like on its sides and can be provided on the topsurface thereof with a particular symbol or other indicia representativeof the associated data distribution mode effected, can be color coded,or both.

As already indicated there is also provided a programing template whichmay be used instead of the singly inserted programing plugs if afrequent programing change is called for. The programing plugs arepositioned into this programing template and thus form a program storagewhich can then be inserted into the modules being utilized with circuitboards and one of such data modules being depicted in cross-sectionalview;

FIG. 6 depicts a plan view of the data modules of FIG. 5 also withassociated programing template; and

FIG. 7 depicts a data plug member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS Now, byreferring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof,each data module or feeder therein illustrated can be seen to comprise aswitching module embodying a prismatic housing 11 having, for instance,a square cross-section and four side walls 12 as well as a bottomportion 13. Housing 1 1 is formed of a suitable insulating material,such as plastic. Four short plug pins 14 of equal length as well as alonger plug pin 15 are conveniently secured to the bottom portion 13 ofhousing 11. Plug pins 14 and 15 define pin terminals and extenddownwardly and serve to plug the data module into a cross-bardistributor utilized as a wiring or connection matrix for four-bit-datain the exemplary embodiment. Four ribs 16 extend upwardly from bottomportion 13 and terminate in a shoulder 17. Ribs 16 and shoulder 17 arecentrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of housing .11 andserve to divide the internal housing compartment orcavity into fourchambers utilized for mounting diodes 23 and into a central starshapedor substantially cross-shaped chamber 26 into which a common contactactuator in the form of a plug member is snap-lockingly inserted. Acontact spring 18, sometimes also referred to as spring contact, isprovided on top of each shoulder 17, the contact spring 18 having ahorizontal supporting plate 19, a vertical guide flap or tab 20 whichserves to hold the spring in the housing, and a downwardly extendingcontact arm 21. Exteriorly of the bottom portion 13, a contact plate 22is disposed and is soldered to the long plug pin 15. Four diodes 23 aredisposed in the housing as indicated and are electrically connected atthe bottom of the housing at soldering locations 24 to the contact plate22 and are electrically connected at the top of the housing by means ofa soldering contact 25 leading to the horizontal supporting plate 19which defines a contact spring plate. The plug pins 14 protrude into thehousing compartment or cavity 26 through the housing bottom 13 and theupper portion 14a thereof disposed in the interior of the housing formsa stationary or fixed contact element for cooperation with the contactspring arm 21. Q

So as to effect the various bit interconnections required for feeding ofdata in a given data distribution mode, a plug member 30 constructed ofinsulating material, such as plastic, is inserted into the hollowcompartment or cavity 26 of the switching body or housing 11 and suchplug member serves to press the respective contact spring arms 21against the fixed or stationary contact pins 14. One such plug member isdepicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 and is seen to comprise a head 300 having agripping groove 31 disposed on the side thereof and a cover plate 32 onwhich is provided a symbol or other indicia 33 for indicating theparticular data distribution mode. As mentioned, each such plug membermay be also color coded. Each plug further exhibits a cylindrical peg 34having four radially extending ribs 35 defining the actuating cams. Ifany of the output channels are not utilized in a given data distributionmode, a portion 36 of the ribs 35 can be broken or cut-off or,alternatively, the plug members 30 can be initially manufactured havingshortened ribs in the required locations. One of the four ribs 35enlarges into a positioning key or tab 37 towards the head 30a. If theplug member is accurately inserted into the switching body, then thepositioning key or tab 37 comes to rest in a receiving groove or notch27 at the upper edge ofa housing wall 12. Only in this position can theplug member be properly inserted into the hollow cavity or compartmentof the hollow switch or switching body throughout its entire length, andonly in this correct position, will the various contacts for the outputbit channels be closed. As should be apparent, if it were desired tochange the data distribution mode, i.e., the various interconnectionsbetween the pin members, it would only be necessary to replace the plugmember itself with a different plug member. Of course, each data moduleor feeder as above described is utilized at a single feeding location ofa primary external connection matrix. Yet, if the primary connectionmatrix is provided with a plurality of feeding locations, a plurality ofdata modules or feeders would be utilized and, in some instances, itmight be desirable to exchange all data distribution modessimultaneously and to store a present plurality of data distributionmodes for later use. As already previously explained this can beachieved in a quite simple manner by merely laying a programing templateor plastic foil 38 having punched-out plug holes 39 substantiallyconforming to the cross-sectional shape of the actuating ribs 35 of theplug members over the various switching bodies 11 utilized. The plugmembers 30 can then be inserted in a force-fitting fashion through theplug holes 39 of the elastic programing template 38 and alsosnap-lockingly in a releaseable force fitting manner into the switchingbodies. By virtue of the provision of such a foil or template 38, it ispossible to simultaneously remove a plurality of individual plug membersfrom the respective switching bodies and these plug members would remainin position in the programing template or foil, thus storing theparticular cumulative set of data distribution modes. In some laterapplication, the elastic template or foil 38 containing the plug memberstherein could be placed on the switching bodies and the plug memberscould be pushed or inserted into the switching bodies once again. Sincethe particular data distribution mode for each plug member is depictedby means of a digit or other indicia on the head of the plug member,visual reading of the cumulative modes effected is clear and distinct.

Now, by referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a variant embodiment of theswitching body for plugging on circuit boards rather than cross-bardistributors is illustrated. Two such circuit boards suffice to providea connection matrix with the lower board containing the lead-in or inputconductors and the upper board containing the output conductors. Theplug pins 42 and 44 provided at the input locations are soldered to thecircuit boards 41 and 43. Specifically, one plug pin 42, namely thelonger one, is soldered to lower circuit board 41 as well as to uppercircuit board 43. The remaining four shorter plug pins 44 are solderedinto circuit board 43, this embodiment as illustrated beingillustratively utilized for four-bit-data. Again, each switching bodyutilized has a prismatic housing 51 formed of plastic for instance andpreferably of square-cross section having four walls 52 and a bottom 53as previously described in which housing are disposed four contactsprings 54. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2 can be seen in the fact that bottom 53 has four plug holesor jacks for detachably receiving the shorter plug pins 44 which areinserted into the hollow cavity of the switching body when the same isplugged on the circuit board, plug pins 44 having the pin portions 44athereof disposed opposite I contact springs 54 as fixed contacts andforming contact elements with the contact springs 54.'The longer plugpin 42 from the input conductor comes into contact with contact plate 55provided on the exterior of bottom 53, with contact springs 54 beingconnected with the contact plate 55 via diodes. Connection of contactsprings with the contact plate can also be achieved by means of metalwires rather than diodes if it is desired to provide the diodes at thecircuit boards themselves. To simplify replacement of a single modulethe module is so designed that only one of its terminals, namely e.g.the longer pin terminal 42 has to be de-soldered, while the rest of thepin terminals, namely the shorter stationary or fixed contacts 44 canremain in the printed circuit board when the associated switch body orhousing 51 is extracted, as particularly well shown at the left of FIG.5. Here also, and as best seen by referring to FIG. 6,

there is advantageously provided an elastic programing template or foil38 havingthe suitably punched-out plug member-receiving holes 39 forcarrying out the quick program change as previously considered.

As should be apparent, the data modules or feeders of the novelinvention as depicted in both preferred embodiments, can be readilymass-produced, the two variant embodiments differing from one anotheronly in the manner of holding the plug pins in the bottom of thehousing.

The data modules or feeders depicted herein in the disclosed inventiveembodiment have been described by way of example and not limitation asbeing utilized to feed or distribute an input into four bits due to thecentral arrangement of the contact elements, since this number of bitshas been found to be sufficient in most cases, and, at the same time,affords a very space-saving and conveniently manageable shape.

Yet, as previously indicated it should be understood that the novelinvention is not limited to data modules capable of handling onlyfour-bit data as the number of data bits which could be handledisvirtually unlimited. For example, the various contact elements could bearranged adjacent one another in a single row and, if necessary, inseveral lines or rows. The data plug member associated therewith wouldthen have a comb extending away from the head plate or would haveseveral parallel combs provided with actuating cams disposed in one rowserving to close the respective contact elements when in operation.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

l. A multi-contact data module for a connection matrix having an inputchannel and a plurality of output channels, said data module comprisingat least one switching body means defining a hollow internal cavity,contact pins for establishing electrical connections to the inputchannel and the plurality of output channels of the connectionmatrix,,said contact pins extending into said hollow internal cavity ofsaid switching body means, movable contact means disposed within saidhollow internal cavity of said switching body means for cooperation withgiven ones of said contact pins, said movable contact means, whenactuated, effecting electrical connections with said given contact pins;a single actuator means for each switching body means common to all saidmovable contact means thereof intended to be actuated, said singleactuator means comprising a separate plug member means totallyseparatable from but removably insertable into said hollow internalcavity of said switching body means, said plug member means includingactuating means for selective ones of said movable contact means, saidseparate, removably insertable plug member means, when inserted intosaid hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, serving todeflect selective ones of said movable contact means against theassociated contact pins, whereby a given data distribution mode iseffected, programing template means having a respective cut-out for eachplug member means substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shapeof said actuating means on each of said plug members means, whereby saidprograming template means provides storage of a plurality of datadistribution modes.

2. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, wherein theconnection matrix comprises a cross-bar distributor and wherein saidcontact pins are fixedly secured to said switching body means and areadapted to be inserted into the input channel and the plurality ofoutput channels of the cross-bar distributor.

3. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, wherein saidactuating means of said plug member means comprises cam means foractuating selective ones of said movable contact means.

4. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 3, wherein saidmovable means comprise contact springs.

5. A multi-contact data feeder as defined in claim 1, wherein saidseparate plug member means is removably held in a force-fitting fashionthrough a snap-locking action at said switching body means whenremovably inserted into said hollow internal cavity of. said switchingbody means.

6. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcut-out of said programing template means is conformed to thecross-sectional shape of said actuating means such that each plug memberwhen inserted into the cut-out of the programing template means is heldtherein in a force-fitting releaseable fashion.

7. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, further includinga plurality of said switching body means, and a separate plug membermeans provided for each of said switching body means, said programingtemplate means having a number of cut-outs corresponding to the numberof plug member means, each one of said plug member means being insertedthrough a given one of each of said cut-outs of said programing templatemeans and into the hollow internal cavity of each associated switchingbody means, whereby upon separation of said programing template meansfrom said switching body means, said plurality of plug member means aresimultaneously withdrawn from said hollow internal cavities of saidswitching body means and stored by said programing template means indesired selected position corresponding to given data distributionmodes.

8. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, further includingmeans for releaseably connecting at least some of said movable contactmeans with said switching body means, so that upon removal of saidswitching body means from said connection matrix, said at least somemovable contact means can be separated from said switching body meansand remain affixed with said connection matrix.

9. An electrical switch arrangement especially for use in electronicdata processing, comprising a plurality of switching modules eachcontaining a hollow switch body means defining therein an internalcompartment, stationary contact pins extending into said internalcompartment of said switch body means, movable contact means disposed insaid hollow internal compartment of said switch body means for saidstationary contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated,effecting electrical connections with said stationary contact pins, acommon actuator means for all said movable contact means'intended to beactuated, said common actuator means comprising a separate plug memberwhich can be completely detached from said switch body means and alsoreleasably insertable into inserted into said switching modules, saidplurality of plug members being inserted through a given one of each ofsaid cut-outs of said programing template means and into the hollowcompartment of each associated switching module, so that upon separationof said programing template means from said switching modules, saidplurality of plug members are simultaneously withdrawn from saidswitching modules and stored by said programing template means indesired selected position.

1. A multi-contact data module for a connection matrix having an inputchannel and a plurality of output channels, said data module comprisingat least one switching body means defining a hollow internal cavity,contact pins for establishinG electrical connections to the inputchannel and the plurality of output channels of the connection matrix,said contact pins extending into said hollow internal cavity of saidswitching body means, movable contact means disposed within said hollowinternal cavity of said switching body means for cooperation with givenones of said contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated,effecting electrical connections with said given contact pins; a singleactuator means for each switching body means common to all said movablecontact means thereof intended to be actuated, said single actuatormeans comprising a separate plug member means totally separatable frombut removably insertable into said hollow internal cavity of saidswitching body means, said plug member means including actuating meansfor selective ones of said movable contact means, said separate,removably insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollowinternal cavity of said switching body means, serving to deflectselective ones of said movable contact means against the associatedcontact pins, whereby a given data distribution mode is effected,programing template means having a respective cut-out for each plugmember means substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shape ofsaid actuating means on each of said plug members means, whereby saidprograming template means provides storage of a plurality of datadistribution modes.
 2. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim1, wherein the connection matrix comprises a cross-bar distributor andwherein said contact pins are fixedly secured to said switching bodymeans and are adapted to be inserted into the input channel and theplurality of output channels of the cross-bar distributor.
 3. Amulti-contact data module as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuatingmeans of said plug member means comprises cam means for actuatingselective ones of said movable contact means.
 4. A multi-contact datamodule as defined in claim 3, wherein said movable means comprisecontact springs.
 5. A multi-contact data feeder as defined in claim 1,wherein said separate plug member means is removably held in aforce-fitting fashion through a snap-locking action at said switchingbody means when removably inserted into said hollow internal cavity ofsaid switching body means.
 6. A multi-contact data module as defined inclaim 1, wherein said cut-out of said programing template means isconformed to the cross-sectional shape of said actuating means such thateach plug member when inserted into the cut-out of the programingtemplate means is held therein in a force-fitting releaseable fashion.7. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, further includinga plurality of said switching body means, and a separate plug membermeans provided for each of said switching body means, said programingtemplate means having a number of cut-outs corresponding to the numberof plug member means, each one of said plug member means being insertedthrough a given one of each of said cut-outs of said programing templatemeans and into the hollow internal cavity of each associated switchingbody means, whereby upon separation of said programing template meansfrom said switching body means, said plurality of plug member means aresimultaneously withdrawn from said hollow internal cavities of saidswitching body means and stored by said programing template means indesired selected position corresponding to given data distributionmodes.
 8. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, furtherincluding means for releaseably connecting at least some of said movablecontact means with said switching body means, so that upon removal ofsaid switching body means from said connection matrix, said at leastsome movable contact means can be separated from said switching bodymeans and remain affixed with said connection matrix.
 9. An electricalswitch arrangement especially for use in electronic data processing,comprising a plurality of switching Modules each containing a hollowswitch body means defining therein an internal compartment, stationarycontact pins extending into said internal compartment of said switchbody means, movable contact means disposed in said hollow internalcompartment of said switch body means for said stationary contact pins,said movable contact means, when actuated, effecting electricalconnections with said stationary contact pins, a common actuator meansfor all said movable contact means intended to be actuated, said commonactuator means comprising a separate plug member which can be completelydetached from said switch body means and also releasably insertable intosaid hollow internal compartment of said switch body means, said plugmember including actuating means for actuating selective ones of saidmovable contact means, said releasably insertable plug member means,when inserted into said hollow compartment of said switch body meansserving to selectively deflect given ones of said movable contact meansagainst the associated stationary contact pins, each of said switchingmodules being provided with a respective one of said separate plugmembers, programing template means having a plurality of cutouts atleast corresponding in number to the number of plug members intended tobe inserted into said switching modules, said plurality of plug membersbeing inserted through a given one of each of said cut-outs of saidprograming template means and into the hollow compartment of eachassociated switching module, so that upon separation of said programingtemplate means from said switching modules, said plurality of plugmembers are simultaneously withdrawn from said switching modules andstored by said programing template means in desired selected position.